Key container



July 17, 1951 J. J. PONCAR KEY CONTAINER Filed Aug. 19, 1948 INVENTOR. w Jam/c1 Pave/2 7 BYZ/IWMV 7 Patented July 17, 1951 UNITED STTES TNT OFFICE KEY CONTAINER John J Poncar, Chagrin Falls,,0hio

Application August 19, 1948, Serial No. 45,112

Claims.

My invention relates to containers for keys and the like.

An object of my invention is the provision of an improved key container adapted to contain a plurality of keys and to readily project therefrom one of the keys selected for use.

Another object is the provision for retention of a plurality of keys in a containerin a compact arrangement and for making a selected key readily accessible for use.

Another object is the provision of a structure arranged to hold all of. a plurality of keys Within a holder when the keys are not in use, and for holding all but a selected key within the holder when the selected key is to be used.

Another object is the provision of means for ready and quick ejectment of the bit end of a selected key,. of a plurality of keys carried by the key container.

Another object is the provision of an improved structure arranged to hold all of a plurality of keys within a key container upon movement of parts in one direction, and for the release of a selected key upon movement of parts in'another direction,

Another object is the provision of akey container having a. keeper member mounted for compound movement relative to a holder carrying a plurality of keys, providing for flexible use of the key container.

Another object is the provision of a key container having a longitudinal key holder and a keeper member mounted thereon to slide both longitudinally and circumferentially in respect to the holder for varying the releasing and retention of a plurality of keys relative to the holder.

Another object is the provision of a key container having a keeper member provided with indexing means to indicate the circumferential position of the keeper.

Another object is the provision of a key'container having complementary guide means for guiding the movement of the keeper relative to the holder.

Another object is the provision of an improved key container having resilient means for urging or biasing outwardly of a holder the plurality of keys pivotally mounted to the holder, and for a keeper for selectively releasing and restraining the keys relative to the holder.

Another object is the provision of an improved mounting means for pivotally securing a plu rality of keys to a key container. 1

Another object is the provision of improved mounting means in akey container arranged for independent mounting of each key of the plurality of keys to the body of the holder.

Another object is the provision of an improved arrangement in a key container permitting the ready insertion and Withdrawal of individual keys in and out of the key holder of the container.

Another object is the provision for independent pivotal mounting of each of a plurality of keys to a container and for the ready mounting and demounting of each key without disturbance of the other keys.

Another object is the provision of an economical structure fora key container that is efficient in use and which provides results not heretofore obtainable.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my key container and shows a plurality of fiat keys carried thereby;

Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the several parts of my container in spaced and aligned position preliminary to assembly;

Figure 3 is a plan view looking down on the top of my assembled key container, the keys having-been removed therefrom;

Figure 41s a side view of the key container shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the key container shown in Figure 3, that is, a view looking up at the bottom of my device;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view ofmy key container. taken through the line 6-6 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows 66;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through theline of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows 11;

Figure 8 illustrates a modification of my device wherein a wire loop or triangular ring is mounted at one end of my key container;

Figure. 9 illustrates a modified form of pivot mounting for securing the keys to my container;

Figure 10 illustrates a modified form of my device wherein blocks or pieces of rubber are substituted for the metallic spring member embodied in the preferred form of my device; and

Figure 11 is another view of the modified form of my device embodying rubber blocks and is taken through the line ll--|I of Figure 10 and looking in the direction of the arrows I-ll l.

The preferred embodiment of my key container comprises a key holder denoted generally by the reference character H, a resilient member 26 and a keeper member I2. I prefer to make the key holder I l and keeper member I2 of a suitable so-called plastic having a small degree of resiliency or give adaptable for the assembly of the parts, such as, for example, one of the appropriate synthetic resins. However, the holder member and the keeper member may be made of other suitable material such as metal or other well-known material having the desired characteristics. In this description these parts will be referred to as being made of material having the characteristics required for the purposes and functions herein described. 7 r

The key holder II is a body formed with a longitudinal recess formed in a wallthereof and extending along its length. It may be formed in shape by molding, casting or fabricating. The recessed key holder has side walls I3 on the opposite sides of the longitudinal recess and a bottom wall I forming the bottom of the key holder. The side walls I3 extend throughout the length of the key holder. The bottom wall I5 extends only a part of the length of side walls I3 so that side walls I3 extend beyond the principal part of the body of the key holder. The space between the side walls I3 beyond where they are joined by the bottom wall I5 is clear and open from one side of the holder member to the other, as is seen in the drawing.

In the description and claims the rearward end of my key container will be considered as the left-hand end of the container as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The forward end will be considered as the right-hand end of the container as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. A rearward direction will be considered as the direction towards the left in Figures 3, 4 and 5, and a forward direction will be considered as the direction towards the right in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The top and bottom of the container will be considered as that appearing in reference to the view of Figure 4. s

Integral with, and extended upwardly from the bottom wall I5, are three wall members I 4 arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the side walls I3. The wall members I4 and side walls I3 are all equidistantly spaced apart from each other so as to define or provide slots or spaces therebetween. These slots or spaces are proportioned to accommodate four fiat keys, such as the four keys 29 shown in Figure 1. Each slot or space is arranged to receive or accommodate one of the plurality of keys in a loose sliding fit, whereby a key may be readily moved in and out of the slot or space. Each key has an aperture end 30 and a bit end 3I, as illustrated in the extended key 29 in Figure 1.

The three wall members I4 also extend forwardly beyond the bottom wall I5 and have their forward ends extended out to the same degree as side walls I3. Thus the side walls I3 and wall members I4 provide partitions or walls which between them define four slots or spaces adapted rected in alignment with each other, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. These projections or bosses I9 are integral with, and carried by, the respective members I3 and I4 defining the slots for the keys. The projections I9 may each be solid, that is, without an opening therein, as in Figures 3, 4 and 5, or the projections I9 may have aligned openings extending therethrough, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 8, for accommodating a chain or other elongated member that may be inserted therein for convenience or safety if desired. Each projection I9 extends inwardly of the adjoining space toward another projection,

to accommodate or receive four keys 29, respectively. These slots or spaces are closed by the bottom wall I5 at a location part part way along the length of the holder at the rear portion thereof. The slots or spaces are open along their tops and bottoms at the forward portion of the holder. The forward ends of walls I3 and wall members I-4 thus form five fingers extending forwardly from the body of the holder.

Adjacent the forward end of the side Walls I3 and wall members I4, respectively, are a plurality of projections or bosses I9 Which are diand the two projections within each slot or space complement each other so as together to form a pivot mounting for the apertured end 39 of the keys 29. The projections I9 are slightly spaced from each other with the members I3 and I4 aligned in normal parallel relationship. The sides of the projections I9 are also somewhat sloping or cammed, whereby a key may be readily inserted in place by pressing the apertured end 30 down between the walls defining the keyreceiving slot and between the complementary projections within a respective slot. The side walls I3 and wall members I4 are somewhat flex ible because of the resilient nature of the material from which they are made, and resiliently flex so that at the forward end of the holder the extending walls spread apart upon forcing the apertured end of a key downwardly against and between the projections I9 in a respective slot. The walls being resilient permit the key to be pressed down until the aperture of the key is in alignment with the projections I9, and the resiliency of the extended walls then forces the extendedwalls to assume their normal parallel relationship and causes the projections to enter the aperture on the key. Thus each pair of complementary projections I9 within a respective space provides an independent pivot mounting for a key positioned within that space or slot. The key may be similarly withdrawn by exerting such a pulling force on the key that camming action of the key against the sloping sides of projections I9 causes the defining walls to resiliently spread. Spreading of the walls causes the projections to leave the aperture of the key and permits the withdrawal of the key from the holder. 'The insertion and withdrawal of each key is independent of the insertion and withdrawal of other keys accommodated by the holder, and the pivot mounting provided for each is independent of the pivot mounting provided for the others.

The resilient nature of the extending walls at the forward end of the holder is such that normally the keys will be held firmly in position and will not fall or be released from the holder. Only by the forced withdrawal of a key is the resilient action such that the extending walls may be spread sufiicient to permit the Withdrawal of the key. An additional feature may be provided if desired. With this additional feature a wire loop or triangularly shaped ring 20 as shown in Figure 8 is added. Small recesses I8 in the outer wall surface of side walls I3 and in alignment with the projections I9 may be provided, these recesses I8 being shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The wire loop member 20 has enough resiliency that the free ends may be spread apart and positioned in the recesses I8, and the resilient action of the member 20 presses the walls I3 toward each other and thereby helps limit any spreading apart of the members I3 and I4 defin- 'ingz-the;resnectiverkayereceiving:SlQt i hememb rflshown in Figure 8,1 besides provi ing an -additionalsafetyfeature may"be-also-use dj for the :attachmentrof. chains orvother securing; means, for hanging the k y container." on a.- hook, for carryingadditionalzk y rtagsorotherdeyices Or for other useful purposes.

At the rearward end of the holder III, the wall members -I 4: stop short and, do not extend to the rear; end of the holder. The length of the wall members l4, gneedzbe sufficientonly to provide: a suitable guide to retain the keysin parallel relationship. and. sufficient toform a firm. anchor or joint between the wall members M and; the, bot.- tpmiwall' [5,.whereby the forward, ends of the wall membe s may freely extend forwardly from the bottom; wall, or principal body of theholder and resiliently flex toward and away from each other at their forward ends. The-rearward ends of the wall members I4 are disposed at an inclinefrom the upper edge thereof down to the bottom wall 15.

To. provide a suitable support and mounting for the resilient member 26, the rear end of the holder II is arranged with a small narrow slit or crevice I'I extending laterally of the, holder between the walls I3. Above the slit I I is a transversely extending portion I6 parallel to the top surface of the bottom Wall I5. The resilient member 26 is made of a piece of spring steel or other suitable material which has a rearward edge portion Z'Idisposed infla. flat horizontal plane and four tines; or fingers 28; integral with, and extending, forwardly from, the portion 21. These imes. 28. are urved. upwardlyan forwardly rrom the portion 21, as illustrated in Figures 2 and-4'.

The width of each tine 28;;is such that it readily fits-within a ke p-receiving slot-defined by'the members I3 and I4. As the preferred;- embodimentshows four key-receiving slots, there are four tines'ZB. The fit of; the tines 28in the keyreceiving slots is such that each tine; may freely move upwardly andrdownwardlywithin, its re.-

.spective slot as the top end of the tine maybe-deable means for the anchoring of the spring member 26. in position may be readily provided, the

arrangement herein described being one convenient and suitable means.

The plurality of keys 29. pivotally mounted on the pivot mounting provided by projections I9 and moved downwardly into the key-receiving slots of the holder I.I, meetand press. upon the top end of the spring tines 28. Further pressing of the keys downwardly depresses the tines. 28 by reason of the-resilient nature of thespring member 26. With the keys 29 down within the keyreceiving slots, the tines resiliently urge the keys outwardly of the holder to project from the'holder on their respective pivot mountings. The spring member 26 thus provides resilient means biasing or urging the keys outwardly of theholder to pivotallyswing to an extended position from the holder, such as the extended position of the one projecting key 29 illustrated in Figure 1.

The, keeper member I2 isof hollow cylindrical form; open. throughout its lengthandhaving a rearwardv edge and, a forward edge 25. The outer ,surfaceof the holder II is arcuate in form, and-at; the rearward portion of the holder I I the bottom Wall l5.- and: side walls I3 in cross section definea partial circle. As the; inner bore of the keepermember I2- is cylindrical, the inner surface of the keeper member I2 complements the outer-surfaceof theholder member H The parts are dimensioned and arranged so that the keeper member I-Zyhas a sliding fiton the holder II, so as to be readily :movable both longitudinally of the holder I I; and in a; direction circumferential of the. holder H. In otherwords, the keeper I2 may be slid lengthwise of holder II andmay also :be rotated relative to holderll. There is thus provided for a, compound movement between holder H and keeper member I2, one movement being ina line of action at an angle to the line .of. action of they other movement.

Thereare four longitudinal grooves 2| recessed in; the. bottomsurface of. the bottom wall I5. These longitudinal grooves 2| extend parallel to each other and. have a small. dividingv ridge between them. The length of the grooves-2| determinesv the limit of longitudinalmovement of the keepernmember I2 relative to. the holder II. As Shown in the, drawing, the four grooves 2[ stop short of the rearwardlend. of theholder I I so that there is ashort distance between the rearward end of the grooves, 2| and the rearward end of the holder II. The number of grooves 2| being provided is dependent upongthe number Off keyreceiving slots, and as in this embodiment there are; four key-receiving slots, there are four grooves ZI.

A. detent. or projection 22 inte ral. with the :keeper member I2: extends. radially inward of the inner bore of the keeper member 12 adjacent itsrearwardt edge 2.4.. This det nt 22 s dim sioned. and: arranged to slidably fit in each of the grooves:2;l: so that the, detent 22 may readily slide: forwardly and'backwardly in a respective groove. 2| withinswhich it is positioned. Detent 2;? is relatively short as compared to the length of the. grooves. 2| so that there. is limited Ion.- ;:gitudinal travel permitted to the detent 22 in .agroove 2|. Asthekeeper member I2 is somewhat: resilientlydistortable in. nature, the forced revolving of keeper l2. relative to holder II causes the detent 22; to. slide out .ofla groove 2I :in-Which positioned, over the ridge separating that groove from the next adjacent; groove and .down into, thenext groove 2|. Thisis done by .a snappin action, and the variable positioning of -detent;.2:2.yin one ofthe grooves 21 provides an indexing means for fixing and indicating the. circumferential position of keeper I2 relative to the holder II. A slight clicking sound is .made by the detent slidin out of one groove and snapping down into another groove, and this clicking sound also gives an audible indication of the positionof keeper I2 relative to holder II and of thenumber of grooves 21 over which detent 22 passes in revolving movement of keeper I 2.

Detent 2-2 also provides means for retaining the-keeper I2 on the holder I I. As the keeper I 2 engages the holder II in a loose sliding fit, the keeper I2 would readilyslide off, the holder II but for the engagement of the detent in the grooves. I-he detent 2.2;abuts the. opposite end walls of the respective grooves as it travels forwardly o-rrearwardly on reciprocation of keeper l2. With the detent in a groove the keeper is extending through the wall thereof. The slot or open space 23 is dimensioned to have a width suflicient topermit but one of the keys 29 to pass edgewise therethrough, that is, one of the several keys positioned in the holder II, as in Figure l.

The slot or open space 23 is too narrow to permit two of the keys as mounted in the holder to simultaneously pass edgewise therethrough.

The length of the slot or open space 23 is such that upon movement of the keeper l2 to the rearward limit of its movement, as that shown in Figure 1, the key in the space or slot of the holder registering with open space 23 is released upon the bit end 3| of the key clearing the keeper l2. Thus, in Figure 1 the keeper member I2 is in its rearward position and the open space 23 of the keeper is aligned with one of the key-receiving slots. The key 29 in that key-receiving slot, being unobstructed by keeper l2 and being resiliently urged outwardly of the holder by the spring member 26, is swung upwardly on its independent pivot mounting provided by projections l9 and is swung out to an extended position from the holder The release of one key by the keeper l2 causes the resilient action of the spring member to flip the key and swing it outwardly so that its bit end 3| is no longer within the holder but extends outwardly ready for use.

It is to be noted that while slot or space 23 of keeper I2 is in alignment with one of the keyreceiving slots, the adjoining portions of the keeper |2 at the forward edge 25 still retain the other three keys 29 within the holder and they are pressed down on the respective tines 28 of sprin member 26, as illustrated in Figure 1. The arrangement permits a selected key to be released and quickly extended by resilient action, but at the same time the keys other than the selected key are retained within the container.

The relative length of the keeper l2 and the slot 23 therein is such, however, that there is a locking portion upon the keeper I2 in alignment with the slot 23. This locking portion adjacent the rear edge 24 and in alignment with slot 23, is arranged to overlie and block the key-receiving slot of the holder with which the keeper slot 23 is aligned when the keeper is at its forward position of Figures 3, 4 and 5. The arrangement is such that the bit end 3| of the key in the aligned key-receiving slot of the holder is not cleared by this first locking portion when keeper I2 is positioned in its forward position illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Thus in the forward position wherein the keeper l2 has been moved forwardly on the holder all of the key-receiving slots are covered sufiiciently to prevent passage of any of the keys inwardly or outwardly of the holder slots. Upon the forward moving of the keeper to its locking position, all of the several keys within the holder are retained therein by the keeper. The portions of the keeper adjoinin the keeper slot 23 .at the forward edge 25 also provide a locking portion to block all of the key-receiving slots of the holder not registering or in alignment with the keeper slot 23. These adjoining portions of the keeper not in alignment with the keeper slot 23 thus provide a second locking portion which blocks key-receivin slots of the holder not in alignment with slot 23.

There is thu provided a flexible arrangement providing for variable positioning of the keeper |2 relative to holder providing that a selected ke may be readily released and ejected by aligning the keeper slot 23 with the respective holder slot accommodating the selected key, and by the rearward movement of keeper |2 to releasing position such as that shown in Figure 1. Keys other than the selected key are retained within the holder. Likewise, the keeper |2 may be moved longitudinally forward while the selected key is outwardly, and its re-entry into the holder may be barred. The selected key may be readily moved back into the holder by manually swinging it back and down against the resilient action of the spring into its respective space in the holder, and the keeper member slid forwardly so as to lock that key into position. Another selected key may be readily released by revolving the keeper |2, while in its forward looking position, in a circumferential direction relative to the holder so as to align slot 23 with the slot accommodating the respective key selected. When the desired alignment or registering of the slot is obtained by circumferential movement of keeper l2, then keeper l2 may be moved rearwardly to unlocking position and the selected key will then flip or spring outwardly of the holder so as to extend its bit end ready for use. As will be apparent from the drawing and description of the device, varied and flexible operations of the key container may be obtained.

My key container is assembled by first positioning the spring member 26 properly in position within the holder 50 that portion 21 is within slit l1 and tines 28 are in their respective key-receiving slots. To assemble the keeper |2 on the holder II, the side walls l3 are slightly compressed toward each other, the material being sufficiently resilient to permit this forced :compression. This reduces the effective outside diameter of the holder H, and by sliding the keeper 2 forwardly while the holder is thus temporarily compressed the detent 22 will slide over and clear the portion of the holder between the rear end of the holder and the rear end of grooves 2|. The detent 22 is thus slid into one of the grooves 2| where it is ready to slide forwardly and rearwardly in the groove and where it may be slidably snapped over into one of the other grooves. The keeper I2 is also somewhat resilient and may be slightly distorted sufficiently to permit the detent to slide over the small stop portion at the rear of groove 2|. After assembly the parts resume their normal position and detent 22 is positioned in one of the grooves 2|. The slightly loose fit of keeper l2 on the holder H and the slight distortion which may be given to the keeper |2 readily permit the keeper to be revolved so as to slide detent 22 from one groove to another. It is to be noted that detent 22 and grooves 2| provide both a guiding means and an indexing means for movement of keeper l2 relative to holder Figure 9 illustrates a modified form of pivot mounting provided for the keys. In this modification, instead of complementary projections I!) there are provided projections 32 formed and arestates ea'ngea in the manner smwn Figures. Pro-'- iectifo'ns 3=2 aresemispherical in shape, and each substantially iills an djoining slot or i'r'ey-receiving space. I-nsteadofthere being two aligned projections each space, there isone projection 3-2 positioned "in each space. These projections'may be'carr ie'd by different o'f-the project'- ingwallsdefining the l'r'ey-rec'eiving slots; the arrangement shown in Figure 9 thesid'e walls 1 3 do not earryipro'jections and "the central W-all member l4 doe not "carry a rojection. 'T e'wan members M ext adj-acent'to the sidewalls each have a projec'tion 32 eiitending from their oppos-ite 'si-de's, the several projections S'Z'being i-h alignment With each other. Key's may be sirnilarly'mountedon the pivot mounting provided by projections 32 'by pressing the keys down into space so as to resiliently spread the projecting walls apart suflicient to "permit the projections 32 to engage in the apertures of the keys. The parallel wal -1's then-resume their-normalparallel position, and the keysare retained in position in a-rnanner that each has independent pivot mountings;

Figures l d-and 1-1 illustrate another modification that may be made in my key container. In the modified form of Figures and 11; instead of a steel spring member 26 there is utilized a plurality of rubber blocks or pieces 33, each inserted down with-in one of the-key-receiving slots of the holder and there-retained in position. Theserubber blocks 33"ar'e resilientand bias or urge upwardly "a keypressed down upon a respective rubber block 33. The bottoms of the rubber bioeks ss are-secured to the bottom Wall of the holder by being wedged 'down 'in place or otherwise secured as with a suitable adhesive material; The upper portions of the rubber blocks 33; however, are free to move upwardly and down- Wa'rdly in response to pressure thereon by a key positioned over the rubber'block. These rubber blocks 33 also provide resilient means-ror flipping the keys outwardly of the holder.

This description includes byreference herein the disclosures of the appended claims which are madea part of this specification.

Although my invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity in its preferred form, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form'ha-s been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction-and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and the 'scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is: 7

1. A key container adapted to receivea plu rality of keyshaving apertured ends and bit ends, said container comprising in combination a keyholding member having key receiving recesses arranged to receive said keys in substantially parallel relationship, pivot means for pivotally mounting the respective apertured ends of said keys adjacent one end of said key-holding memher to provide for the individual swinging of the bit ends of said keysin and out of said recesses,

biasing means for'bi'asing said keys 'to pivotally swing outwardly 'of said recesses, and 'a keeper member carried'on said key-holding member and mounted thereon to revolve relative to, and to reciprocate longitudinally of, said key-holding member, said keeper member having a longi tudinally disposed open space pro'vided therein and extending from an edge thereof, said open space having-a width suflicient to pass but one key'edgewis'e 'therethrough and having alength s-ufiicient to-passsaid one key edgewise therethrongh upon reciprocal movement of the keeper member toward the opposite *endof "the keyholding fmenibe'r to releasing position and insufficient to pass said one key edgew'ise therethrough upon reciprocal movement --of the keeper member toward *saidone end or the key-holding member to =locking position, revolutionofsaid keeper member relative to said key holding-mem her-providing for the alignment of said open space in said keeper with a recessaccommodating a respective key to be released, said keeper member retaining said keysin said key-holding member-againsttheaction of said biasing means andreleasing a selected key of said keys in response to said biasing means upon positioning of thekeep'e'r member to releasing position relative-to the-recess accommodating the selected key.

2. A- key container fora plurality of keys each having an apertured portion and a bit portion, said key container comprising a key-holding member having a longitudinally disposed space therein for accommodating a plurality of keys in parallel'--side by side relationship, said key-holding memberhaving a first end and a second end, pivot means-for pivotall mounting the apertured port-ion'of said keys adjacent said first end of the key-holding member to provide for pivotal swinging of-the respective'keys in and out of said space, a keeper-member mounted'on said key-holding memberto reciprocally and'r'evolubly move relative to'saidkey-holding member, said keeper member having a longitudinally disposed slot thereim'said slot having a limited width suificie'nt-to permit but one key to pass edgewise therethrou'gh, said slot extending from the edge of the keeper member facing said first end or thekey holding member and terminating short of the-edgeiacing said second end of thekey hold ing member to-provide a locking portion of said keeper nie'm-berin alignment with said slot, and biasing means carried by the key-holding member for urging the bitportions of said keys outwardly of saidspace to extend from said bit-holding member, the arrangement of the key-holding member, pivot means, keeper member and biasing meansproviding for the retention by said keeper member or said keys in said space against the urging of said biasing means and for the release and outward swinging of a selected key on said pivot means out of said space upon revolving-of the keeper member to align said slot ove'r the'bit portion or said selected key and the reciprocal movement of said keeper member toward said secondend-of the key-holding member to move said locking portion of the keeper member beyond thebit portion of the said selected key to disengage the same.

7 '3. A key-container comprising a key-holding memberhaving-a recess therein adapted: to accommodate a plurality of keys'in parallel and s'i'de by-si'de relationship, 'biasi-ng'means for urging-said-keys outwardly of said recess to project from the key-holding member, and a keeper memberopposing said biasing means for nor mally keeping said keys in said recess, said keeper member being carried by'said key-holding mem her to reciprocate longitudinally of, and to revolverelative to, said key-holding member, said keeper member having an open space formed therein, said open space being of a width sufii cient-to permit but one of said'keys to pass edge wise therethrough-and being of a length s'uflicient topermita selected one of' said keys to pass edgewise therethrough upon revolving of said keeper member to align said open space with said selected key and upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member in one direction to releasing position, said keeper member being of a length suificient to block in said recess all of said keys to retain them in said key-holding member upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member in an opposite direction to locking position and to block in said recess all but said selected key in alignment with said opening to retain them in said key-holding member upon longitudinal move-- ment of the keeper member in said one direction to releasing position.

4. A key container comprising a longitudinal body having a longitudinally disposed recess in a wall thereof, a plurality of dividing members disposed in said recess in spaced parallel relationship to provide a plurality of grooves each adapted to accommodate one of a plurality of keys, a keeper member of hollow cylindrical form and having an inner bore adapted to accommodate said body and engaging said body in a sliding fit, said keeper member being revoluble and reciprocal relative to said body, said keeper member having a notch extending from one end toward the other end, said other end in the vicinity of said notch being closed, said notch being of a width permitting one key only to pass edgewise therethrough at one time, the arrangement of the said body and said keeper member being such that upon positioning of the keeper member at one longitudinal location relative to said body said recess is blocked by the keeper member to prevent all keys in said recess from moving laterally outward of said body and such that upon positioning of the keeper member at another longitudinal location relative to said body and the alignment of said notch with a groove accommodating a selected key all said grooves except said groove accommodating a selected key are blocked by said keeper member to prevent all said keys except said selected key from moving laterally outward of said body.

5. A key container for a plurality of keys each having an engaging end and a bit end, said container comprising a longitudinal body having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced wall portions extending therealong, said wall portions having end portions projecting from an end of said body, each of the spaces between said wall portions being adapted to accommodate one of said keys disposed with its flat sides substantially parallel with said wall members, means for pivotally mounting the engaging ends of the respective keys to the projecting end portions of adjacent wall portions to permit the bit ends of said keys, respectively, to move out of said spaces, spring means carried by said body and disposed in said spaces to engage an edge of said keys, respectively, and to resiliently urge the bit ends of said keys outwardly of said body, and a restraining member mounted on said body to revolve and reciprocate relative to said body, said restraining member having an escape portion dimensioned to provide edgewise passage therethrough of a single key only, said restraining member extending on opposite sides of, and from an end of, said escape portion to provide a restraint against keys in said spaces against outward movement in response to said spring means, the reciprocal movement of the restraining member on said body toward said projecting end portions of said wall portions positioning said restraining member to restrain all said keys and the revolving movement of the restraining member on said body to align said escape portion with a space accommodating a selected key, and reciprocal movement of the restraining member in a direction away from said projecting end portions to clear the bit end of said selected key permitting said selected key to swing outwardly of said body and the bit end of the selected key to extend from said projecting end portions.

6. A key container for a plurality of keys each having an apertured end and bit end, comprising a longitudinal key holder adapted to carry pivot mounting means engageable with the apertured ends of said keys, said key holder having a channel longitudinally disposed therein for accommodating said keys on edge in side-by-side parallel relationship, a plurality of wall members extending parallel to each other along said holder and defining with said holder a plurality of spaces each adapted to accommodate one of said keys therein, the outer of said wall members also defining said channel and forming the side walls of said holder, a keeper member of hollow cylindrical form embracing said holder in a sliding fit and slidably movable relative thereto both longitudinally and circumferentially, the cylindrical wall of said keeper member having an opening therein extending from a longitudinal edge thereof and terminating at a distance from its opposite edge, detent and seat means carried by said holder and keeper member, said detent and seat means including a plurality of parallel longitudinal seats selectively engageable by said detent upon circumferential movement of said keeper member relative to said holder, said detent and seat means being movable relative to each by permitting the detent to move from one seat to another upon circumferential movement of the keeper member and providing relative resistance to circumferential movement of the keeper member, and said detent and seat means guiding longitudinal movement of the keeper member relative to the holder, longitudinal and circumferential movement of said keeper member relative to the holder providing for the determinable positioning of said opening relative to said spaces whereby the cylindrical wall of said keeper member may block all of said spaces, and may block all of said spaces except a space accommodating a selected key to permit the selected key to pivotally swing outward from said recess to extend its bit end from said holder.

'7. A key container for a plurality of keys, said container comprising a longitudinal body of relatively resilient material, said body having two side walls and a plurality of wall members disposed therebetween in spaced and parallel relationship to each other and to said side walls to define parallel spaces for receiving keys positioned in said spaces, respectively, pivot mounting means carried by said holder for pivotally carrying said keys, a keeper member substantially of hollow cylindrical form and mounted on said body for keeping keys in said spaces, the internal bore of said keeper member and the outer surface of said body being arranged to permit said keeper member to move in a sliding fit longitudinally and circumferentially of said body, abutting means carried by said body and keeper member to limit longitudinal movement of said keeper member for retaining the keeper member on said body, said side walls of the body being resiliently compressible toward each other to permit said keeper member to be longitudinally moved past said abutting means for mounting and demounting 13 said keeper member, resilient means carried by said body for resiliently urging keys accommodated in said spaces outwardly of said spaces to pivotally swing on said pivot mounting means, the cylindrical wall of said keeper member having a cut-away portion dimensioned to permit a selected one of said keys only to pass edgewise therethrough upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member in a direction toward a first end of said body to a releasing position clearing the bit end of the selected key, the cylindrical wall of the keeper member being adapted to block the spaces accommodating keys other than said selected key at said releasing position and adapted to block all of said spaces upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member in a direction toward an opposite end of said body to a locking position not clearing the bit end of all said keys, circumferential movement of said keeper member relative to said body providing for varying the relative position of said cut-away portion relative to said spaces for release of a selected key.

8. A key container for a plurality of keys comprising a longitudinal body having a recess adapted to accommodate said keys in parallel side-by-side relationship, pivot means at one end of said body for pivotally connecting said keys to said body, resilient means mounted in said recess for resiliently urging the keys outwardly of said recess, a keeper member of hollow cylindrical form mounted on said body and engaging the outer surface thereof in a sliding fit to slide longitudinally and circumferentially of said body, said keeper member having a detent portion extending radially inward therefrom, said body having a plurality of parallel adjacent grooves adapted to accommodate said detent portion, said detent portion being adapted to slide from one groove. to another and to snap into an aligned groove upon circumferential turning of said keeper member to provide indexing of said keeper member, said detent portion also being slidable longitudinally in the respective groove in which positioned to guide longitudinal movement of said keeper member, said keeper member having a first locking portion and a second locking portion located at positions disposed with respect to each other longitudinally of the keeper member, said first locking portion being adapted to be positioned in alignment with a selected key to block movement of said selected key in and out of said recess, the longitudinal wall of the keeper member having an opening therein extending from its end adjoining said second locking portion to said first locking portion and being sufficient in dimensions to permit a selected key to pass edgewise therethrough upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member to a position for the clearing of the bit end of said selected key by said first locking portion, said first locking portion blocking said recess radially outward of the selected key aligned with said first locking portion upon longitudinal movement of the keeper member in an opposite direction to a non-clearing position. said second locking portion being adapted to block said recess radially outward of all keys other than the said selected key aligned with said first locking portion at both clearing and non-clearing positions of said first locking portion, circumferential movement of said keeper member providing for varying the circumferential positions of said first locking portion and second locking portion relative to said recess.

9. A key container for a plurality of keys each having an aperture at one end and a bit at the other end, said container comprising in combination, first means having a longitudinal body for accommodating and holding said keys in side-byside parallel relationship, second means carried by the first means and engageable in said apertures for providing a pivot mounting on said first means for each of said keys, third means carried by said first means for urging said keys to pivotally swing on said second means outwardly of said first means to extend said bits from said first means, and a keeper member carried by, and movable relative to, said first means, said keeper member comprising fourth means and fifth means, said fourth means being adapted to be moved relative to said first means in a first line of action disposed lohgitudinally of said first means and to provide restraint to all said outwardly urged keys in opposition to said third means upon movement of the fourth means to locking position, said fifth means being adapted to be moved relative to said first means in a second line of action traversing said first line of action and to maintain restraint to all said outwardly urged keys in opposition to said third means except a selected key upon movement of the fifth means to releasing position, the said keeper member providing for release of a selected key upon movement of the fourth means relative to the first means in said first line of action from looking position to releasing position and for the release of only the selected key upon movement of the fifth means relative to the first means in said second line of action to a determined position. v

10. A key container comprising a body kerfed longitudinally to provide a plurality of spaced par allel walls, the spaces between the parallel walls each constituting a receiving slot for a flat key disposed edgewise therein, the slots opening through one end of the body, pivot means carried by the said walls at said one end and providing pivot support for the apertured ends of keys housed in the receiving slots, a keeper member mounted on said body and movable relative thereto, said keeper member comprising first means and second means, said first means being revoluble relative to said body and being formed to block all said slots except one slot accommodating a selected key upon revolving of the first means to a releasing position clearing said selected key whereby said selected key may pass edgewise from said one slot to release the bit end of the selected key from said body, said second means being movable longitudinally relative to said body and being formed to block said slots and to prevent a key in said one slot accommodating a selected key from passing edgewise from said one slot and the bit end of said selected key from being released upon longitudinal movement of said second means to a key retaining position.

JOHN J. PONCAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,573,723 Long Feb. 16, 1926 1,886,110 Lippstadt Nov. 1, 1932 2,295,123 Mudrich Sept. 8, 1942 2,300,979 Simpkins Nov. 3, 1942 2,411,168 Seely Nov. 19, 1946 

